Snoop Dogg’s publicity team has denied that the rap star issued an online apology for comments widely interpreted as homophobic, following backlash over his criticism of same-sex parenting depicted in children’s movies.

The US rapper, who is set to headline the AFL Grand Final entertainment, faced criticism last month after saying he was “scared” to take his grandchildren to the cinema. His remarks came in response to a scene in the 2022 Disney Pixar film Lightyear, where astronaut Alisha Hawthorne (voiced by Uzo Aduba) is shown raising a child with her wife.

Snoop appeared to respond at the weekend to the controversy in a comment under a post by trans entertainer TS Madison, writing:

“I was just caught off guard and had no answer for my grandsons,” the comment read.

“All my gay friends know what’s up. They been calling me with love.

“My bad for not knowing the answers for a 6-year-old. Teach me how to learn. I’m not perfect.”

However, his representatives have since stated that the rapper did not make an official apology for his views.

It is now unclear who posted the comment.

The controversy comes at a difficult time for the AFL, which is defending its decision to feature Snoop Dogg as the Grand Final pre-game act while simultaneously suspending Crows star Izak Rankine for four matches over a homophobic slur directed at a Collingwood player.

At the launch of the AFL finals on Monday, CEO Andrew Dillon reiterated the league’s commitment to keeping Snoop Dogg as the headline performer.

“The Grand Final entertainment will add to what will be an amazing spectacle … it will be at a level we haven’t seen for a long time. He’ll do a great job,” Dillon said

TS Madison had questioned Snoop’s stance, pointing out the contrast between his discomfort with LGBTQ+ representation in Lightyear and the content of his own music videos, which often feature women kissing and dancing provocatively.

Snoop’s original comments were made during an appearance on the It’s Giving podcast, where he recounted his grandson’s confusion over the film’s depiction of a same-sex couple:

“My grandson, in the middle of the movie, is like, ‘Papa Snoop? How she have a baby with a woman? She’s a woman!’,” he said.

“I didn’t come in for this. I just came to watch the movie.

“It messed me up. I’m scared to go to the movies.”

The AFL has yet to comment further on the controversy, but the incident has sparked debate about the league’s messaging and consistency in addressing homophobia.